With the current cost of living crisis, many of us are feeling the pinch. That’s why we have decided to put a list together of some easy ways you can save energy (and money) at home! Don’t forget that reducing your energy consumption helps the planet too, so it’s a win-win.
1. Switch to energy-efficient lighting
During the day, natural lighting is of course the best option to save on energy. You should also consider what types of bulbs you are using. Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs can save you anywhere from 30-80% off your energy bill! There are two main types of bulbs: CFLs and LEDs. If you are looking for maximum efficiency, LEDs are the way to go. If you are concerned that LED bulbs won’t be as bright as your traditional lightbulbs, be sure to pay attention to the lumen value, which indicates the brightness of the bulb. The table below compares the wattage of traditional lightbulbs to the approximate equivalent lumen values of LED/CFL bulbs.
| Traditional bulb | LED/CFL Bulb |
| 15 watt | 140 lumen |
| 25 watt | 250 lumen |
| 40 watt | 470 lumen |
| 60 watt | 800 lumen |
| 75 watt | 1,050 lumen |
| 100 watt | 1,520 lumen |
And of course, get into the habit of switching off the lights when leaving the room.
2. Be smart with your washing
Did you know that washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers consume the most energy, accounting for 14% of an average energy bill? One simple way to save energy is washing your clothing on a 30-degree cycle instead of washing at a higher temperature. And if you can, reduce the number of times you are using your washing machine per week by only doing full loads. You should also avoid using your tumble dryer wherever possible. Let your clothes dry outside in dry weather or on a indoor clothes airer. If you have a dishwasher, try to wait until it’s full before using and turn on its eco setting if it has one. If you’re looking for an energy efficient dishwasher, the Miele G7460SCVI14 Place Fully Integrated Dishwasher has an A energy rating and an energy cost of just £15.12 per 100 cycles.
3. Install a smart thermostat
Smart thermostats allow you to save energy by heating your home more efficiently, only warming the rooms that you are using. The TADO Wireless Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+ allows you to control your home’s heating from your smartphone or tablet. For maximum efficiency, it uses local weather forecasts to adjust your heating in real-time. It can reduce your heating bill by up to 31%, meaning the average homeowner can save over £200 annually. Also remember to turn down your thermostat when you can, as turning your heating down by just one degree could save up to £80 a year.
4. Turn appliances off at the plug
Did you know that you can save around £55 every year just by switching your appliances off standby mode? Nearly all electrical appliances can be switched off at the wall without impacting their programming. You can consider purchasing a smart plug like this Bosch Smart Home Smart Plug 230V which connects all of your electrical appliances and allows you to turn them on and off via an app or using your voice.
5. Be smart about water consumption
Did you know you could save £18 per person every year on your energy bill by installing a water efficient shower head? This Croydex Aqua Air™ 5 Function Bathroom Shower Head comes with an optional eco saving device which can save up to 50% more water in comparison to standard shower heads. You can also consider a shower timer for your bathroom. If you cut your showers just one minute short, you can save 12-15 litres of water and take £7 off your bill every year! You can check out our other blog post where we highlight 10 easy ways to save water here.
6. Think about your fireplace
Fireplaces are great for keeping warm in the winter months, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. If you have a wood burning fireplace, ensure that the chimney is cleaned out regularly. This is especially true if you haven’t used it in a while as you never know what wildlife may have made a home in there! You should also check the seal on the damper, this is as simple as closing the damper off and holding a piece of tissue paper inside the firebox. If drafts blow the tissue around then you need to have the damper repaired or replaced.
7. Insulate your home
If your windows are single-glazed, investing in double glazing is one efficient way to save energy. Double glazing helps to keep out the cold and save you money on your heating bill. As an example, if your semi-detached home is single glazed, you could save up to £110 a year by installing A-rated double glazing. Insulating your loft is also something to consider if you haven’t already. This can save you around £135 per year on your bill (if you live in a semi-detached). If your home is draughty, you can also consider draught excluders to keep out the cold.
8. Keep your radiators clear and free from dust
Radiators will work the most efficiently when they aren’t blocked by furniture or obstacles. You should also make sure that your radiator is clean and free from dust as this can also impact its ability to heat your home. Make sure that your radiator is turned off before going in with a vacuum to clean in and around the radiator (utilising the smaller attachments). You can then go in with a radiator brush to capture the remaining dust.
We hope that you have found this blog helpful and that you have picked up some energy-saving tips! You can follow us on our social medias for more helpful tips and guides. Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Tags: costofliving, savemoney, sustainability, sustainableliving